Wednesday 20/9/17 - day 2.
A day in Vancouver.

We slept amazingly well with no trace of jet lag as we drifted awake at 7.00.
As we stood up out of bed we discovered the panoramic views of Vancouver from our velum windows - rooftops, sea, ships, sky and mountains! Beautiful!
We had planned to meet Chris for breakfast in Kitsilano, but in view of his very short night, we decided to meet him in town. His flat and office are in Gastown, on the eastern side of town. After a brief consideration of the city map and bus routes we donned running shoes and set off on foot, running along Cornwall Street, past Kitsilano beach and over Burrard bridge into the city. As we ran up hill into Downtown (!) we met Chris running down to meet us. So good to see him!
We then started our running tour of Vancouver - quite the best way to see the sights!
We retraced our steps back to the bridge, headed south to the Sea wall. We ran along the waters edge beside False Creek, through Yaletown, past BC place stadium and finally up into Gastown where we ran past a restaurant displaying loaves of delicious looking crusty bread displayed in the window. Done! We settled down for a delicious 9am breakfast of latte, with poached eggs, mushrooms and avocado on sour dough toast!
Then we ran round the corner to Chris's flat, he got ready and went to work, leaving us with the rest of the day to explore Vancouver.
After a brief explore of Gastown (Steam clock, Gassy Jack and dome window shopping) we headed back out to the waters edge and continued our route along the sea wall, past the port, harbour and cruise ships, sea planes, swanky sky scraper hotels and yacht marina towards Stanley Park. The surroundings changed so dramatically with every step!
We ran through streets littered with the emaciated and filthy homeless, then pavements populated but overweight wealthy tourists. We ran through parks full of young mums pushing babies in three wheeled strollers and passed and met occasional other runners. Unlike in England, few made eye contact or returned our smile or greeting. Reserved folk these Vancouver residents.
We ran on wide busy streets and four way intersections, and beside narrow harbour walls. We then found ourselves on the small gravel and mud paths around the wetland area around the Lost Lagoon before emerging onto the beaches of the west coast. We continued along the sand, watching the ships and sailing yachts moving briskly in the breeze out to sea. The water in this side of the peninsula was much choppier but sky was getting bluer and it was beautifully warm.
We ran back over the bridge and into Kitsilano beach park, then home to unpack our bags.
At lunch time we took the number 2 bus back into town to meet Chris for lunch. He guided us The Settlement building in Railtown. A brewery with excellent food, accessed by two vast 25 feet tall slabs of oak that serve as doors.
We moved on to visit WIIVV head office, (amazing panoramic views over the harbour) met Chris's colleagues and acted as guinea pigs for their new foot scanner / measuring device - how much better is it at measuring feet for orthotics than the self administers phone app?
After that we left Chris st work and continued our city tour via Coopers Park and the Aquabus through False Creek to Granville Island.
Granville island has the most amazing markets. Mostly seafood, fruit and vegetables but also other foods and crafts. We browsed snd shopped and walked on, over the bridge heaving west up and along West 4th avenue for a bit of indulgent window shopping. We stopped off at Rise and Shine (another CWB recommendation) for ice creams. Spoilt for choice.... honey and lavender, chocolate chunk and coconut, London fog (earl grey with vanilla), balssmic blueberries, salted caramel....
Finally we came upon a supermarkets (in short supply in Vancouver) to buy provisions and headed home.
We had booked tickets for 'Bard on the Beach' - s production of Much ado about Nothing at 7.30.
Chris arrived and parked his van in our underground parking and we walked along the back of the beach to the tent theatre. It was a spectacular setting, with the 'big top' style tents set against the Vancouver skyline and deep red sunset. Glorious!
The production was fantastic! We all have seen and loved Beatrice and Bened*** playful squabbles many times and this was the best version yet. Set in 1959, the aristocrats and soldiers (film producers and glamorous movie stars) were offset by the paparazzi and stage crew. Costumes were stunning - black and white in the first half, becoming colourful as each character became embroiled in live affairs. There was music and dancing and the whole atmosphere of a bustling 1959 movie studio. We loved it (even though Bills sciatica did not enjoy the seating!)
Home at 10.30 for cheese scones, roast chicken and fruit salad in our quirky flat. Chris mended a flat bike tyre ready for tomorrow's early start and we retired, fading fast, at just after 12. What a brilliant first day in Vancouver - we may pay for all that running tomorrow!!